• 1/2.4 inch 27.1mm2
  • 9.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  •  

Buy From

Differences

Sony DSC-HX1 advantages over Panasonic G3

  • Less expensive
    $499 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 390 vs 270 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 3.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Panasonic G3 advantages over Sony DSC-HX1

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.4 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.77 vs 1.71 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~1.40 vs 2.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    46 mm vs 91 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 9.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony DSC-HX1

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic G3

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon P90

Sony DSC-HX1
Nikon P90
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs Nikon P90

Panasonic G3
Nikon P90
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Nikon P90

Compared to Canon SX1 IS

Sony DSC-HX1
Canon SX1 IS
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Hot shoe

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs Canon SX1 IS

Panasonic G3
Canon SX1 IS
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Canon SX1 IS

Compared to Nikon P100

Sony DSC-HX1
Nikon P100
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs Nikon P100

Panasonic G3
Nikon P100
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Nikon P100

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Sony DSC-HX1
Olympus E-M5
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs Olympus E-M5

Panasonic G3
Olympus E-M5
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Sony DSC-HX1
Panasonic GX7
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs Panasonic GX7

Panasonic G3
Panasonic GX7
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic GX7

Compare Other Cameras?